The End of the First Quarter!

Thursday was one of my roommates birthdays so we walked to a fancy restaurant not too far away and had a nice dinner with some friends. The food was great and it was nice to be able to celebrate.

Unfortunately, I woke up sick to my stomach and with a migraine headache Friday morning so I had to get a sub for school. The students only had a half-day because it was the last day of the grading period so the teachers spent the second half of the day doing grades. I spent most my morning in bed and then they needed me to come in to get me grades done. I took a taxi to school and it ended up being a bit of a process (as usual). The first taxi I called I spent about ten minutes trying to explain to him where I live (here in the DR there is no such thing as "logical" directions, sometimes you say take a left at that tree and a right at this restaurant..etc) but after the taxi driver could not figure out he hung up on me. Then I called another taxi and they came on a motorcycle when I had asked for a car, this option would not work with the skirt I was wearing and the teaching bag I was carrying. So, I tried once more and after about ten more minutes I got a taxi that took me to the school. Doing the grades, the comments, and the report cards was a long and draining process but I am finished!! I went home after school and crashed for a few hours.


Then, Friday night I was invited to another birthday party of one of my students. I got ready to go and once again called the taxi. They finally came to get me 40 minutes later and then could not find the party. We spent about 20 minutes driving around looking and with my limited Spanish I was not much help. I finally told him just to take me back, but he was determined to get me there so he opened the car windows and was listening for music. What a sweet man, he was incredible because sure enough we pulled into a BEAUTIFUL house and he told me that was it. I got out and was so happy to have all my kids running at me telling me they missed me at school and wondering where I had been. Even though I was really late to the party I had a great time. It was another dance party so the students danced the night away and I spent most of my time talking with the moms. I love getting to know them better. It’s great spending time with the students outside of school, they are lots of fun.
Here are some pictures of the b-day party and the house there were at..it had a sweet pool!





This morning I woke up early before the heat and rode with one of our directors to the university and ran (this is the ONE place it is safe to run). Then I tried to get some work done before I went with some friends to go watch a championship soccer game in the middle of nowhere. It was a club team and the team I was cheering for lost to the Haitian team, but it was a good game to watch.



After that we had “American Game Night” at the pastor’s house of one of the many churches I have attended. It was a blast. We had a cook-out with great food and then we played Apples to Apples and Outburst. I just got back and I am worn out and ready to go to bed!

Thanks for your support and encouragement. It's been awesome hearing from soooo many people. I love getting updates on your lives. Carve a pumpkin and drink some apple cider for me! Love you all :)